"As I was saying," she says, overcoming the canine commotion, "to be cut wide open and have half my kidney taken out for such a small tumor just wasn’t cuttin’ it for me. But when I heard of radiofrequency ablation through Dr. Brodwater, I knew I had another option."

Dr. Brian Brodwater, an interventional radiologist with Delaney Radiologists in Wilmington, uses a surgical procedure called radiofrequency ablation, or RFA, for the removal of small, isolated tumors primarily in the lungs, kidneys or liver. -full story

"For patients with relatively small, isolated tumors of certain organs, most commonly the kidney, liver or lung, RFA is a very effective, minimally invasive means of tumor therapy that’s relatively painless and typically offers a very rapid recovery," says Dr. Brodwater, who has performed approximately 100 of these procedures.

Because RFA is tightly focused on destroying just the tumor via thermal energy, the normal surrounding tissue is subject to just minimal collateral damage, says Dr. Brodwater.

"This is in contrast to traditional open surgery where a tumor is resected along with a larger portion of the kidney, liver or lung. RFA remains focused on destroying just the tumor, leaving healthy tissue largely in tact," he says.

Dr. Steven Crawford, also an interventional radiologist with Delaney Radiologists, says RFA has a proven track record at NHRMC, with most patients returning to normal activity within two days.

"In that time, we have experienced excellent results with the procedure controlling tumors in the 95-98% range, which is equivalent to open surgery but in a much less invasive manner. Our patients usually return to their normal routines within 48 hours."

But the big pay off for patients is how dramatically their lives change over the course of the two-hour procedure, says Dr. Brodwater.

"I am still amazed at the end of every procedure as I place the band-aid on, watching them wake up from the anesthesia, knowing that as I see them in follow up that in most instances they are cured," he says.

For more information, go to nhrmc.org/imaging or call VitaLine at 815.5188 for a physician referral.

To receive and keep this designation, hospitals go through an extensive evaluation process every three years. Evaluators review a hospital’s staffing, equipment, treatment methods, clinical trials, outcomes, and support services to ensure they meet the high standards set by the Commission.

Receiving care at a Commission on Cancer approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to:

•Quality care close to home.

•Comprehensive care offering a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.

•A multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options available to cancer patients.

•Information about cancer clinical trials, education, and support.

•Lifelong patient follow-up through a cancer registry that collects data on type and state of cancers and treatment results.

•Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Zimmer Cancer Center is the only regional cancer center in Southeastern North Carolina dedicated solely to the diagnosis, treatment and support of people with cancer.